Whose Child Is This?: A Story of Hope and Help for a Generation At Peril

by Bill Wilson, Tommy Barnett (Foreword)

For me, Metro World Child always goes back to New York City. I'd like to tell you that when I first went there, I had it all figured A fire-year plan, a ten-year plan, a strategy for success, and a budget. But I had none of those. In fact, I had no idea how to make the whole thing work - I just knew I had to do something to rescue broken and hurting children. I spent years listening to so-called experts say that what was on my heart couldn't be done - especially in New York City. But I knew that wasn't true. I refused to accept that ministry to inner city kids was impossible anywhere - especially in New York City.

Whose Child is This? is the story of a city filled with children who now have hope and a future because I refused to believe that anything was impossible with God... even in New York City.

Genres: Christianity, Christian, Biography

210 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 31, 1994

Reviews

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most inspiration books I have ever read. To even imagine myself leading a Sunday school program on the streets of New York for thousands and thousands of little ones every week - astonishes me. And to read what Bill Wilson went through to get there is even more amazing. This book goes from the early life of a young pre-teen left by the side of the road with false hopes that his mom would 'come right back' to a man who has been in many battles, both literal and figurative, with the streets of New York. If you read this book and don't shed at least one tear - if not for the boy disregarded in the dumpster by his mother - than there is something wrong with you. And if you read it and say 'I'm too busy to work with a child' then be wary of Matthew 18:6.

I kick myself often for watching Bill Wilson walk through the waiting area of a local restaurant I used to work in. I stopped and watched him - thinking I knew him - not realizing until later the missed opportunity I had to say 'Thank you'.

[Heather Djama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, inspiring book! This true story tells of how one man was used by God to change the lives of numerous children in the inner city that no one else cared about. God does amazing things in and through this man's life and his story encourages you to allow God to do the same in your life.

[Valentina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring book for ministry. It was easy to read and the stories and examples told in the book are so real and so inspiring and touching. This book is a blessing to many I am sure.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my biggest heroes in life! Can’t believe it’s taken me this long to read one of his books. There are not many people in the world like Bill Wilson - his life is an incredibly testimony of the difference every person can make in the world!

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking

Made me rethink the phrase ' One's Calling '. I had some preconceived notions that I needed to pray and seek a sign about my calling in serving the church. How wrong I was. This book just clicked for me.

[Tuuli Platner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow - what a challenging book. Inspirational, provocative, and a book that just asks why you aren't out there doing? Very digestible too, finished in a day.

[Jelmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book, it brought me to tears. Must read for everybody involved in kidsministry

[Abigail Escobar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una historia realmente inspiradora...
Debo confesar que definitivamente ame leer a Bill Wilson, ya tenía conocimiento sobre Metro World Child pero no tan profundo y es que el libro toca el inicio del llamado del pastor, sinceramente nunca había conocido a alguien con el mismo corazón que yo, a alguien que este tan preocupado y dispuesto a meterse en una comunidad llena de delincuencia y peligros, alguien que sienta esa carga por cada niño que crece en comunidades de escasos recursos y con familias disfuncionales , "Whose Child Is This?", me ha dado dirección y motivación en cuanto a mi propósito en esta tierra...

"Cuando miro a los adultos jóvenes pasando el tiempo en una esquina, dedicados a la prostitución, las drogas y tantas otras cosas relacionadas a ellas, pienso:"Los hubiéramos podido ganar para Cristo de haber llegado cuando eran niños."..."

Así que lo que más me ha gustado de mi lectura es su narrativa en forma de testimonio, fácil de digerir y entretenida desde la primera hoja, con historias desgarradoras y fuertes, aveces es sorprendente asimilar la realidad de desesperanza en cada historia, como por ejemplo la de la niña pequeña muerta detrás de los basureros con hormigas en la cara...

"¿Quiere un llamado de Dios? El abrir sus ojos ante alguna necesidad que hay alrededor suyo, y después, de un paso al frente y dedique su vida en ese proyecto. Así es como se responde al llamado de Dios"

En fin, en absoluto disfrute este libro, lo recomiendo en todos los aspectos, aun aunque no seas seguidor de Cristo ya que toca tu corazón de tal forma que provoca el salir de tu burbuja narcisista y empezar a mirar la realidad del mundo que nos rodea, fuera de las redes sociales y las apariencias.

[Royce Ratterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing life's ministry for a once abandoned boy to have undertaken. A boy who knew first-hand what it is to never know that anyone loved you, and to have that 'natural' inner awareness that you were of no value to anyone. From the filthy streets of New York to the refuse dumps around the globe, Bill Wilson has made a difference.

"As a child I never felt loved by my parents. I can’t say I ever really knew my dad. And my mother, to cushion life’s blows, had turned her life over to the bottle. She had become an alcoholic... I was twelve years old. My mother and I were walking down the street on the block where we lived in St. Petersburg, Florida. It was near the Welcome Inn on Park Boulevard, where she worked as a barmaid. We stopped and sat down on a concrete culvert that was built over a little drainage ditch. She was very quiet that day. After a few minutes she stood up and said, “I can’t do this anymore. You wait here.” What is she talking about? I wondered. What is it she can’t do anymore? I did exactly what my mom said. I sat there waiting for her to return. The sun went down, and she still wasn’t back. The next day I sat on that same culvert, alone with my thoughts." Bill Wilson

"When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me." -Psalm 27:10

"More than once in my life I have reached that point where everything looks hopeless—where the problems are far beyond my ability to solve. In those moments I have seen God take complete charge of the situation. It may come down to the wire, but if you hold on, God comes! I don’t understand it all. I just know that’s how it works." Pastor Bill Wilson

[Jeb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many children’s ministries could learn a lot from the challenges and successes of one of the largest children’s ministries in the world.

[Hannah K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Challenging, heart-breaking, and inspirational.

[Tudor Bostan · Rating 5 out of 5]

the testimony of a man that made a difference in the lives of tens of thousands of children. Main thing I learnt is that one man can make a difference and I hope to become this man.

[Theresia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saya meminjam buku ini karena tertarik dengan pria gondrong disampul depan yang ternyata seorang gembala dan reformis sekolah minggu. Saya tidak terlalu tertarik dengan pelayanan anak, karena menurut saya pelayanan mahasiswa lebih strategis blablabla.. Sampai sy melihat sedikit iklan tentang jendela 7-14 yang begitu menggugah disebuah televisi, disitu saya tahu pelayanan anak sangatlah amat penting, dan kemudian saya membaca buku ini dengan hati yang lebih menghargai pelayanan anak

Bill Wilson mendapatkan visi untuk memberikan harapan dan kasih Allah kepada anak-anak yang ada didaerah hitam Brooklyn, dimana kekerasan, narkoba dan kemiskinan menjadi makanan sehari-hari bagi mereka,bahkan ada yang terbunuh tak jauh dari Gereja tempatnya melayani.. Bill harus menempuh jalan-jalan yang berbahaya untuk menjemput dan membawa anak-anak ini pergi ke Sekolah Minggu dimana mereka dapat belajar kebenaran dan mengenal Allah....rintngan yang dilalui begitu banyak bahkan kadang nyawanya dan supir2 bus juga terancam..

Buku ini menginspirasi bagaimana seseorang memenuhi panggilannya dan bagaimana setiap anak layak untuk mendapatkan harapan yang sejati yang hanya bisa mereka temukan dalam Kristus, mudah dimengerti, saya juga mendapatkan terjemahan yang baik.

[Stephanie Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book by the children's director at my church, and would recommend it to anyone who works with children. It is absolutely heart-wrenching and heartwarming all at the same time. To hear about the awful things going on in the inner-cities in our own country is terrible and will absolutely stick with me forever. So thankful for a man like Pastor Bill who has dedicated his life to these children and teaching them about the love of Jesus.

There is one story in particular, about a small boy, that had me sobbing. Take the time to read this book, it's not very long, and really gives you perspective. It has definitely changed my thinking on some things.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually got to go to his headquarters in Bushwick and meet his staff. He has such an interesting story. The amout of lives he's touched. It'll make you reevaluate your life and your purpose. I'm sorry I didn't get to work with him. But it's never too late read the book.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a re-read for me. I think it's important to read over and over because it helps me to readjust my kids ministry perspective. There's a lot of wisdom in this book - anyone who works with kids or works in ministry should read this.

[Lina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bill's story about servicing children from "bronx" area is a good inspration, motivating anyone who involves in children education activities... including me ^_^

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will make you cry and really want to get involved. Pastor Bill has lived through so much, and yet he has spent his life giving to others.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encouraging

This book will give you a new passion for ministries, not just KidMin, but any ministry. They all have its ups and downs and Bill Wilson shares both sides.

[Mikayla Winafeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredible book! What a powerful testimony to how God cares for every person!